title: Targeted therapy in head and neck cancer.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Results of clinical studies on targeted cancer therapies are rapidly accumulating. This is also true in the field of head and neck cancer (HNC). Due to the unique multidisciplinary needs of the disease, it is of paramount importance that physicians who treat HNC are aware of the evolving changes that research is offering.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Many targeted agents directed at inhibiting epithelial growth factor receptors (EGFRs) are under investigation in both curable loco-regional advanced disease in combination with standard treatments and in the recurrent metastatic setting. Human papilloma virus (HPV)-positive tumors present a distinct biological profile. Consequently, the role of targeted agents in this specific setting still needs to be refined. Herein we will briefly review the results of the most recent studies on targeted agents. Cetuximab and other monoclonal antibodies (panitumumab, zalotumumab and nimotumumab) have been already investigated in phase III studies; and some results are now available. Small molecules inhibiting EGFR have still to prove their efficacy. Other agents such as vascular endothelial cell growth factor receptor, vascular endoinsulin-like growth factor 1 receptor, MET, PI3KA and mammalian target of rapamycin inhibitor are in development.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  At present treatment options in HNC are changing and include targeted agents with demonstrated efficacy. A better selection based on biological factors of patients who are potentially responsive to such targeted agents is being actively pursued.
authors.affiliation: Head and Neck Cancer Medical Oncology Unit, Fondazione IRCCS 'Istituto Nazionale dei Tumori' in Milan, Italy. lisa.licitra@istitutotumori.mi.it
authors.forename: Lisa
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Licitra
authors.forename: Cristiana
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Bergamini
authors.forename: Aurora
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Mirabile
authors.forename: Roberta
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Granata
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects; D061067:Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects; D002294:Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000473:pathology / Q000532:radiotherapy; D000068818:Cetuximab; D017326:Clinical Trials, Phase III as Topic; D003131:Combined Modality Therapy; D016503:Drug Delivery Systems / Q000379:methods*; D015507:Drugs, Investigational / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects; D066246:ErbB Receptors / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors*; D006801:Humans; D009364:Neoplasm Recurrence, Local / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000473:pathology; D009367:Neoplasm Staging; D010039:Otorhinolaryngologic Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000473:pathology / Q000532:radiotherapy; D018714:Radiotherapy, Adjuvant
chemical_list: D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D061067:Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents; D015507:Drugs, Investigational; C512478:EGFR protein, human; D066246:ErbB Receptors; D000068818:Cetuximab